Methods and systems for preventing diversion of prescription drugs

Abstract

The subject invention provides systems and methods for monitoring prescription medications. In particular, systems and methods are provided for monitoring patient compliance with a given prescribed regimen as well as monitoring the origins of a prescription drug. The subject invention provides a central computer and a portable device, wherein the portable device includes at least one sensor for detecting a target marker. The target marker of the invention represents either the presence of a specific prescribed medication or identify the proper origins of a medication.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] Counterfeit drugs are a serious public health and safety concern. If introduced to a drug supply, counterfeit drugs can pose significant health risks to thousands, if not millions, of people including: toxic effects, unintended effects, and ineffective treatments. Since counterfeit drugs can contain either only inactive ingredients, incorrect ingredients, improper dosages, or even dangerous sub-potent or super-potent ingredients, patients face the risk of therapeutic failures, at the least, and worsening of health problems, perhaps even leading to fatal consequences. [0002] Distribution of legitimate pharmaceuticals is dependent on the wholesale industry. Primary wholesalers purchase drugs directly from manufacturers and then sell the products directly to a pharmacy, hospital, institution, other dispenser, or secondary wholesaler. In the U.S., three primary wholesalers account for 90% of distributed prescription drugs. Occasionally when low-cost dr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] The advantages of the invention are numerous. First and foremost, for healthcare personnel, the invention provides a method that can readily assess (for example, point-of-care assessment) whether a patient has followed the course of a prescribed medication based on a sample of the patient's bodily fluid. Second, the invention is inexpensive and has broad medical applications (for example, more accurate medical treatment where physicians can readily assess the effectiveness of a treatment regimen). Further, the invention can be useful for law enforcement / public health and safety purposes (such as in confiscating counterfeit and / or diverted prescription drugs).

Problems solved by technology

Counterfeit drugs are a serious public health and safety concern.

If introduced to a drug supply, counterfeit drugs can pose significant health risks to thousands, if not millions, of people including: toxic effects, unintended effects, and ineffective treatments.

Since counterfeit drugs can contain either only inactive ingredients, incorrect ingredients, improper dosages, or even dangerous sub-potent or super-potent ingredients, patients face the risk of therapeutic failures, at the least, and worsening of health problems, perhaps even leading to fatal consequences.

Secondary wholesalers usually deal in smaller quantities and have higher turnover of stock.

But in some instances, some smaller wholesalers also knowingly or unknowingly take higher risks by obtaining drugs that may not have been provided by a legitimate manufacturer.

For example, unlicensed or unregulated pharmacies may knowingly or unknowingly distribute unapproved drugs.

Another serious problem is the diversion of licit drugs for illicit purposes (also known as prescription drug diversion).

In certain instances, the addiction and withdrawal associated with the abuse of many prescription drugs can be more harmful than that associated with illegal drugs.

Although such pharmaceutical drugs have legitimate medical purposes, they are often illegally diverted for recreational use, which costs the federal government and states billions of dollars in areas such as law enforcement, health care, social services, and court costs.

These individuals are often incapacitated, and it is relatively easy for family members, caretakers, and others to divert a portion of the prescribed medication for illegal sale or use.

Unfortunately, these programs may affect patient care when doctors hesitate or cease to prescribe certain regulated drugs.

Moreover, neither physicians nor pharmacists have any means for monitoring patient compliance with a prescribed regimen.

Finally, such monitoring programs do not enable capture of counterfeit drugs.

Images